Budding local artist and eighth grader at Shepherdstown Middle, Kate Wilson was recently given the honor of being the first young artist to be featured at the 4 State Real Estate Art Gallery in Charles Town.

“Kate has always loved art,” said her mother, Jill Wilson. “She’s mostly done drawings before this point, and she’s always my ‘go-to’ person when I need something drawn. She knows how to draw exactly what I need. We’re so proud of her.”

Kate has only been painting since Sept. when she started private art lessons in Charles Town with local artist, Terry Knill, where she has learned many different techniques, but best loves painting with oils, according to her mother.

“Kate is a talented young lady who is always up for a challenge,” said instructor Knill. “She catches on fast to new techniques and is blessed with natural talent. I enjoy watching her grow as an artist.”

While it may seem odd to have a combination real estate office and art gallery, according to the website, the 4 State Gallery came to be out of a vision of combining two very different passions of the owners, real estate and art.

“We want to offer a space to artists to get their work out there and be seen in the community,” states Lesa Shively, Art Director. “We would love to feature a young artist with each rotation. I remember being that age and how special art was to me, and how much it would have meant to be asked to have it on display.”

According to Shively she had seen Wilson’s art on Facebook and wanted to offer her a spot at the gallery.

Shively continued, “I love having Kate’s work on display. She is a very talented young artist and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.”

According to her mother, Wilson is looking forward to continuing her art lessons and taking art classes at Jefferson next year. She has her sights on becoming a professional artist and owning her own gallery one day.

“Painting makes me feel like I’m in my own little world and it just makes me happy,” said Kate.

The art displays are on a 45 day rotation at the gallery located at 133 W. Washington St., Charles Town. The current artists will be featured until Feb. 15.

To display your work, please contact the Art Director, Lesa Shively at 240-446-0978 or at LesaShively@gmail.com.

For more information about art classes, contact Terry Knill at tmknill516@aol.com